ID :
20476
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 09:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/20476
The shortlink copeid
N-deal aimed at meeting India's growing power needs: Minister
Dharam Shourie
New York, Sep 21 (PTI) India, which has an "impeccable" non-proliferation record, hopes to meet its growing power needs and achieve energy security through the landmark nuclear deal with the U.S., Minster of State for Commerce and Industry Ashwani Kumar has said.
The world need not read anything else into it, the
minister said, emphasising that New Delhi has always stood for
universal nuclear disarmament.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had proposed steps
leading to complete elimination of nuclear weapons in the U.N.
General Assembly as early as June 9, 1988, he said addressing
students and faculty members at the prestigious Harvard
University.
The four-point plan suggested by Gandhi included
binding commitment by all nations to eliminating nuclear
weapons in stages by 2010.
Kumar, whose statement came in the context of the ongoing
efforts in Washington to get the deal through the U.S.
Congress before it adjourns on September 26, asserted that the
aim of the agreement is to enable India to meet its growing
power needs and achieve energy security.
About strengthening of the Indo-U.S. relationship and its
global impact, he said the comprehensive strategic
relationship between the two countries will shape the new
architecture of the world power.
The 21st century would be tri-polar with India as one of
its poles, said Kumar, who was speaking on 'India's global
engagement: challenges of pluralistic democracy—21st century.'
The central message that the Minister conveyed to
audience was that India is ready to play a global role and be
a stabilising power in Asia.
What makes Indian experiment unique, Kumar said, is that
its fast-paced development has not compromised its commitment
to democracy and is in consonance with its inclusive political
and economic agenda which is empowering millions living on the
margins of the society.
Making a strong case for India to be made a permanent
member of the powerful 15-member United Nations Security
Council, Kumar stressed that one-sixth of humanity just could
not be kept out of the process if the Council's decisions are
to have real legitimacy.
Currently, victors of Second World War – the United
States, Russia, Britain, France and China -- are the permanent
members with veto power and the UN member states are demanding
the Council be expanded to reflect the current realities.
India is among the strong contenders for a permanent seat.
During his visit to Harvard, Kumar met, among others,
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen with whom he discussed the
current crisis in the financial markets and steps needed to
calm them.
Kumar expressed the view that there would be some
impact of the crisis on India but was not worried much about
it as, he said, the country's conservative economic policies
would insulate it from any major problem in the world markets.
He also met former U.S. Under Secretary of State R.
Nicholas Burns, who had been involved in the negotiations over
the civilian nuclear deal. PTI DS
New York, Sep 21 (PTI) India, which has an "impeccable" non-proliferation record, hopes to meet its growing power needs and achieve energy security through the landmark nuclear deal with the U.S., Minster of State for Commerce and Industry Ashwani Kumar has said.
The world need not read anything else into it, the
minister said, emphasising that New Delhi has always stood for
universal nuclear disarmament.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had proposed steps
leading to complete elimination of nuclear weapons in the U.N.
General Assembly as early as June 9, 1988, he said addressing
students and faculty members at the prestigious Harvard
University.
The four-point plan suggested by Gandhi included
binding commitment by all nations to eliminating nuclear
weapons in stages by 2010.
Kumar, whose statement came in the context of the ongoing
efforts in Washington to get the deal through the U.S.
Congress before it adjourns on September 26, asserted that the
aim of the agreement is to enable India to meet its growing
power needs and achieve energy security.
About strengthening of the Indo-U.S. relationship and its
global impact, he said the comprehensive strategic
relationship between the two countries will shape the new
architecture of the world power.
The 21st century would be tri-polar with India as one of
its poles, said Kumar, who was speaking on 'India's global
engagement: challenges of pluralistic democracy—21st century.'
The central message that the Minister conveyed to
audience was that India is ready to play a global role and be
a stabilising power in Asia.
What makes Indian experiment unique, Kumar said, is that
its fast-paced development has not compromised its commitment
to democracy and is in consonance with its inclusive political
and economic agenda which is empowering millions living on the
margins of the society.
Making a strong case for India to be made a permanent
member of the powerful 15-member United Nations Security
Council, Kumar stressed that one-sixth of humanity just could
not be kept out of the process if the Council's decisions are
to have real legitimacy.
Currently, victors of Second World War – the United
States, Russia, Britain, France and China -- are the permanent
members with veto power and the UN member states are demanding
the Council be expanded to reflect the current realities.
India is among the strong contenders for a permanent seat.
During his visit to Harvard, Kumar met, among others,
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen with whom he discussed the
current crisis in the financial markets and steps needed to
calm them.
Kumar expressed the view that there would be some
impact of the crisis on India but was not worried much about
it as, he said, the country's conservative economic policies
would insulate it from any major problem in the world markets.
He also met former U.S. Under Secretary of State R.
Nicholas Burns, who had been involved in the negotiations over
the civilian nuclear deal. PTI DS
